Chapter 1

“Stop it, Kyle!” I protested as he tried to put his hand on my breast. “I don’t want you feeling me up.”

Kyle and I were on our fourth date at the time. Like me, he would soon be eighteen and going into his senior year of high school in the fall. The first time we went out, we doubled with one of my friends and her boyfriend, Steve. Lindy asked Steve to fix me up with Kyle.

Both Kyle and Steve were on the swim team at our school. Kyle was cute. At least, I thought he was, and he was smart. We doubled on my first date with Kyle, and the four of us went to a basketball game. I had a great time, and Kyle kissed me on my front porch at the night’s end.

Lindy called me the next day to ask if I liked Kyle and if I wanted to go out with him again. I told her I had fun and would accept if he asked me. We talked about the two boys for an hour before I had to hang up to help my mom clean the house.

Kyle called and asked if I wanted to go to dinner and a movie. I agreed, so he picked me up the following Friday night and took me to a family restaurant and the theater. Like on the first date, Kyle was a perfect gentleman. He put his arm around me at the movie but never tried anything inappropriate.

Kyle drove me home and parked his dad’s car in my driveway. We sat in the car, listening to the radio and kissing for twenty minutes before I had to go in. Over the next week, we saw each other in school, and Kyle called me every night.

The more we talked, the more I learned about Kyle. He planned to attend Michigan State University after graduating to study engineering. Kyle hoped to get a scholarship, but his parents were willing to pay for his education if he didn’t.

During our conversations, I told him about myself. I explained that I would go to Wayne State and try to get into law school. Like my dad, I wanted to be an attorney.

“Sorry, Trish, you’re so hot,” Kyle said as I pushed his hand away.

“Thanks, but I don’t let guys feel me up.”

Kyle didn’t seem too upset, so we went back to kissing one another. After spending the afternoon at the park and having a picnic, we parked in a secluded area. We kissed for about another half hour before I stopped to catch my breath.

“Kyle, would you get me a soda, please? I’m thirsty.”

Kyle reached into the back seat, took two cans of soda from the cooler, and gave me one.

“Here you go, Trish. Um, I’m sorry about what I did. I hope you’re not mad at me. I like you and don’t want you to be upset with me.”

I smiled at him. “I like you too, but I still don’t want you trying to feel me up.”

“How many guys have you dated?”

“Not many. You’re the fourth boy I kissed or went out with more than once or twice.”

Kyle nodded. I was sure he knew I didn’t date much, but he didn’t say anything. Lindy knew everything about me and was pretty sure the information was passed from Steve to Kyle. In reverse, I learned Kyle hadn’t dated much either.

“How about you? How many girlfriends have you had?” I knew the answer but wanted to hear what he would tell me.

“One, Kathy Simmons and I went out for a few months, then she broke up with me to go out with a guy from another school. I’ve gone out with other girls, but she was the only one I would call a girlfriend.”

“Kyle, we have to go. I need to find a bathroom.”

Kyle started the car, put on his seatbelt, and pulled away. He drove to a fast-food restaurant, and we went inside. While Kyle ordered burgers, I went to the restroom.

We sat in the restaurant, ate our burgers, and continued to talk. When Kyle told me he would start working for a landscaping company the following Monday, I told him about my older sister’s upcoming wedding.

My sister Amy was getting married to a guy she met in college. Her fiancée, Darrel, had graduated, started his career as an accountant with General Motors, and was already making a good salary.

Kyle and I left the restaurant, and he started to drive. “What do you want to do now, Trish?”

“Could we go somewhere and take a walk?” I said.

“Okay, how about back to Metro? We could walk along the water.”

“Sure, I like it there.”

We went back to the park where we’d spent the day. It was still early and light outside. Kyle’s pass was still good, so he didn’t have to pay again. After parking the car, we headed for the small marina in the park.

Kyle held my hand as we walked along and looked at the boats moored in the marina. He would point at one and tell me how much he wanted to own a boat. I smiled, thinking about my dad’s boat and the hours of fun our family had had on it over the last few years.

Walking next to each other showed the difference in our height. Kyle was almost six feet tall. I stood five foot six. Kyle was lanky, but his muscles were well-defined. While we lay in the sun earlier, I spent time studying him. His legs, chest, and arms were buff, and his stomach was flat.

I carried a few extra pounds, and my stomach had a slight bulge, but I kept it covered with a one-piece bathing suit while on the beach. I liked half shirts, but I wouldn’t wear one in public.

Kyle and I stopped, sat on a bench, and watched the boats moving up and down the channel leading to the lake. I reached into my purse and pulled out a cigarette.

“I didn’t know you smoked.” Kyle scrunched up his face.

“I don’t smoke often, but I like to now and then. Does it bother you?”

Kyle shrugged his shoulders.

Smiling, I said, “I have gum.”

Kyle laughed and nodded. We watched a long offshore boat as it lumbered through the channel. Several girls were sitting on the padded motor cover wearing tiny bikinis. It was hot for May, and the boaters were out in force.

“You’d look hot in a suit like one of those, Trish.”

I shook my head. “My butt, thighs, and tummy are too big.”

Kyle looked into my eyes, smiled, and replied, “You’re nuts! You have a great butt.”

“You’re sweet, but I still wouldn’t feel comfortable in a bikini. Besides, my parents probably wouldn’t like me wearing one like those girls.”

“Are your parents strict?”

“No, they’re not.”

“I remember you wearing short skirts in school. I think you look great in them.”

Kyle’s comment made me smile. I slapped my thigh and laughed. “Even with these thick legs?”

“Trish, you’re not fat! You have a great body and shouldn’t be ashamed of it.”

I finished my cigarette, dropped it on the ground, and put it out with my foot. After putting a stick of gum in my mouth, I offered one to Kyle. When he accepted, we got up and continued our walk. We walked to the point, looked at the water for a while, and headed back.

It was getting late, and the sun was going down. Kyle asked if I was ready to leave, and I told him I was. We went to his car, got in, and took off. When Kyle parked again, I chuckled under my breath.

Kyle and I snuggled together in the front seat of his dad’s big Mercury and kissed. He didn’t try to touch my breasts again but moved his hands almost everywhere else. His kisses turned me on, but I was grateful he didn’t try to take things too far.

“I better get home, Kyle. I don’t want my dad to get pissed at me.”

“Okay, when can we go out again?”

“Anytime, Kyle, call me.”

After Kyle drove me home, we stayed in his car, kissing before finally saying goodnight, and he walked me to the door, waiting as I went inside.

I stopped in the family room and talked to my parents before going upstairs to my bedroom. Once behind my closed bedroom door, I removed my top and jeans, stood in front of the full-length mirror, and stared at my reflection.